Waterbury evening Democrat., 1887-12-23
THE CONTRASTS OF THE SEASON.


 "Thou hast all seasons for thine own, o Death !" But at no time is the inevita- ble regarded with such intensity of sorrow as in the midst of time of festivity. When other households are animated by the life and the love of family reunions, the home that is saddened by bereavement becomes doubly sorrowful in the contrast. We have unharpily throwing their shadows over this season of joy and thanksgiving, some such illustrations of the Sorrows Grown of Sorrows" Prominent men, who in addition to tbeir public fame, possessed in our regard the qualities of private friendship, have been within these few days, taken from us. Others are lowering on the borderland of Time and Eternity, with hardly hope that they may be re- stored to the public duties they so ably filled or to the social and family circles they adorn. Thus it is that grief and joy ousness go hand in hand. In the majority of homes there will be gladness, because of the recurrence of the festival of the glad tidings of the Nativity; in few, the sol emnity and desolation of death, with a sor- row not untempered by hope that the de- parted are sharing all the joys promised in the advent of the Saviour.
 The other day we referred to the unex pected death of great good man whom we had seen, and whose hand we had grasped but few days previously. Yes terday the distressing duty was put upon us of announcing the death of another friend, who twenty golden years ago had been our associate in work for Ireland's re- demption; and who, though he escaped the penal convict cell, was nevertheless pun ished for his Irish patriotic preachings and teachings. From the Fenian times of 1865, down to the appearance of OConnor and Grattan Esmond, at Cooper Institute, New York, Major James Haggertywas in the front rank of Irish advocates. The last we welcome the envoys; he was full of heart and hope in the old cause. That night he met his death-stroke, for he appeared in public no more; his last effort of life may be said to have been for Ireland; and after months of suffering, during which he had the prayers and sympathy of all who knew him, the gallant soldier, the profound law yer, ths earnest Democratic leader, the true friend and ardent Irish patriot, passed away on Wednesday of this week, to the intense regret of all parties, classes and creeds of the Empire city. The associa- tions of nearly a quarter of century in mutual affection and combined work for the old land are not easily surrendered ,and at this distance we fling our tribute of l loving memory on the coffin lid of Major James Haggerty.
 Another dark death shadow on the Christ mas brightness impends Yesterday we had formal announcement of the death of Daniel Manning, but before put | ting our first edition to press we were enabled to state that the report was pre- mature; but barely premature. The con dition of the distinguished journalist, 1 financier and statesman at the last accounts forbids all hope of recovery. He pro- ceeded to Albany few days ago to spend the holidays with his friends and family; unhappily there is prospect that festivity will be turned into mourn ing; that MT Manning's circle will illustrate another of the contrasts of the season and that the Nation will have to deplore the loss of one, who, as sturdy and steadfast Democrat, served it's interests we'll and faithfully.